Annual United Way benefit show to take the stage
ALREADY IN ITS 11th year, the Resident’s Life United Way Benefit Show is not slowing down anytime soon. On Nov. 16, the spectacle, which will feature performances from students at the University of Ottawa, is all about providing entertainment for a good cause. All of the show’s proceeds go to the United Way Ottawa charity, and the event is a part of the U of O’s United Benefit fundraising campaign, which raises money and awareness for United Way.
“It’s the big event we use to close off the United Way campaign that we run with Housing Services. It’s kind of part of the campus-wide initiative,” explains Andrew Keyes, the Residence Life programming coordinator and a fourth-year psychology major.
“This is our part that we do in residence, so a lot of the community advisors (CAs) working in residence will give a hand to help with the organization.”
The benefit show is one big variety show. It will include singing, dancing, and comedy skits. The show also creates a sense of community amongst residents.
“We’re always trying to promote that big community feel with all the residences,” he says.
“You can find it gets … segregated as the year goes on. [Students] get to know everyone in their building, but they don’t really branch out as much.”
“I see it as kind of something that we really can all come together and appreciate the resident experience.”
The show, along with the residences’ other fundraising initiatives, raised approximately $6,000 last year and $10,000 in 2009. Residences across campus come out and support the charity in more ways than the variety show. According to Keyes, students spend just over a month doing various activities to raise money and awareness for the cause.
“[The show is] really … like the closing ceremony, if you will,” he says.
“We have all sorts of activities [during the month-long campaign], ranging from individual CAs planning on just their floors to building-wide activities. [An] example from this year [is] … a coffee house night where the Stanton residents were invited out to open mic, [which] raised a lot of money.”
Although the night is filled with entertainment and allows students to see their fellow classmates sing or dance, the main focus of the show is the United Way.
“It’s a charity that really focuses on the community … United Way Ottawa is a charity that doesn’t necessarily use the funds themselves. So, what they’ll do is spread them to other different charities in the area,” says Keyes.
Students can expect an entertaining, yet unpredictable night for $2. Keyes urges students to check out the show, which will be held at the Alumni Auditorium in the University Centre.
“There’s no specifications over what we can expect,” says Keyes. “It all depends on who wants to come out this year, who wants to perform, what they want to do. It’s always a good time.”
“We have a lot of really talented young people that come out and sign up for it.”
—Sofia Hashi
